Humidifier system

ABSTRACT

A humidifier system comprising a housing having a reservoir extending therethrough for passage of liquid through the humidifier system. Liquid from a liquid receptacle is transferred to the reservoir in the housing. The flow rate of the liquid can be controlled so as to adjust the water rate within the reservoir. The housing provides at least one opening defined therein separately positioned within the housing from the reservoir but accessible thereto, and an electric heating element is inserted therein, the heating element projecting into the reservoir whereby the heating element is in direct contact with the liquid to heat it. The heating element is supplied with electrical power from a power source for enabling the heating element to heat the liquid and create steam within the housing. A safety switch is also provided, in association with the interior of the housing, wherein the safety switch is adapted to turn the heating element off when a temperature of the element exceeds a pre-determined level. Means are also provided for controlling an exhaust flow rate and temperature of the steam exiting the housing.

This invention relates generally to a humidifier system, and more particularly to an improved steam humidifier system and assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The interior spaces of buildings are often at a lower than desired level of humidity. This situation occurs commonly in arid climates and during the heating season in cold climates. Therefore, humidifier systems are often installed in buildings to increase the humidity of an interior space. Humidification systems may take the form of free-standing units located within individual rooms of a building and can generally be inexpensive and easy to install. The most prevalent of these types of systems are evaporation systems and steam (or vaporizer) humidifiers.

Evaporation type humidifier systems generally have lower energy costs than steam (or vaporizer) humidifiers but raise two concerns. First, if water in these systems gets stagnant, it can promote the growth of mold or organisms that can release harmful substances into the air flow. These designs will then spray the stagnant water, and any bacteria it contains, into the home or building. The second concern with evaporation type humidifier systems is minerals in the water. If water from a certain area contains a lot of minerals, and this water is used in an evaporation type humidifier system, such systems can noticeably output this as dust.

With respect to steam (or vaporizer) humidifiers, there are no generally no bacterial or mineral concerns with this technology. However, these usually also have the highest operating costs, and can, due to the heat they generate, be dangerous (especially around children) because they can cause burns.

Thus, there is a need for an improved humidifier system which has a generally uncomplicated and simple design, and which may operate at a reduced operating cost. There is also a further need for an improved humidifier system which provides the benefit of steam humidifiers in eliminating bacterial or mineral concerns through the use thereof, but which also reduces the temperature of exhausted steam to a low temperature, so as to reduce the risk of burns. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved steam humidifier system and assembly which is environmentally friendly, which has a generally uncomplicated and simple design.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved steam humidifier system and assembly which substantially eliminates bacterial or mineral concerns through the use thereof, and which reduces the temperature of exhausted steam to a low temperature, so as to reduce the risk of burns.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a humidifier system comprising a liquid receptacle containing liquid therein; a housing having an internal reservoir extending therethrough for passage of the liquid through the housing; at least one opening defined on an upper surface of the housing separately positioned from the reservoir but accessible thereto; means for transferring the liquid from the liquid receptacle to the reservoir in the housing; at least one electric heating element inserted into the at least one opening, the at least one heating element projecting into the reservoir whereby the at least one electric heating element is in direct contact with the liquid within the reservoir, the at least one electric heating element being supplied with electrical power from an electrical power source for enabling the at least one electric heating element to heat the liquid and create steam; and means for exhausting the steam from the housing.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a humidifier system comprising a liquid receptacle containing liquid therein; a housing having an internal reservoir extending therethrough for passage of the liquid through the housing; at least one opening defined on an upper surface of the housing separately positioned within the housing from the reservoir but accessible thereto; means for transferring the liquid from the liquid receptacle to the reservoir in the housing; means for controlling a flow rate of the liquid moving from the liquid receptacle to the reservoir in the housing; at least one electric heating element inserted into the at least one opening, the at least one heating element projecting into the reservoir whereby the at least one electric heating element is in direct contact with the liquid within the reservoir, the at least one electric heating element being supplied with electrical power from an electrical power source for enabling the at least one electric heating element to heat the liquid in the reservoir and create steam within the housing; a thermostatic safety control in association with the interior of the housing, wherein the thermostatic safety control is adapted to turn the at least one heating element off when a temperature of the at least one electric heating element exceeds a pre-determined level; means for controlling an exhaust flow rate and temperature of the steam exiting the housing; and means for exhausting the steam from the housing.

The advantage of the present invention is that it provides an improved steam humidifier system and assembly which is environmentally friendly, which has a generally uncomplicated and simple design, and can operate at a low operating cost.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide an improved humidifier system which provides the benefit of steam humidifiers in eliminating bacterial or mineral concerns through the use thereof, but which also reduces the temperature of exhausted steam to a low temperature, so as to reduce the risk of burns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the humidifier assembly of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the preferred embodiment, and with reference to FIG. 1, the humidifier assembly of the present invention is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 1. The humidifier assembly comprises a substantially hollow housing 11 having a reservoir 9 within for receiving and containing liquid (not shown) therein through the housing, the liquid generally being understood to be water. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the reservoir 9 of the housing 11 extends substantially horizontally throughout a length of the housing. The housing 3 further comprises at least one opening 2 on an upper surface 4 of the housing, but more preferably, a plurality of openings defined thereon, each of which are separate from the reservoir 9, but in communication therewith, and each of which define an internally defined chamber within the body of the housing 11. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the housing 11 possesses an inlet 8 at one end of the housing, and an outlet 23 at the opposite end of the housing 11. Preferably, the housing 11 is made of metal, though it is conceivable that other materials could also be utilized, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art.

Liquid for the humidifier assembly of the present invention is contained within, and provided by, a water receptacle 5, it being known that this liquid, or water, could be supplied to the system in a multitude of ways, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the liquid could be circulated by a pump (not shown), though this is not absolutely essential. This system could be pressurized also in a number of ways that would be apparent to one skilled in the art, whereby water would be drawn to flow from the water receptacle 5 to the reservoir 9 and through the system 1.

Water drawn from the water receptacle 5 will flow through flow pipe 15, by passing one-way valve 17 on the way. The one-way valve 17 is positioned on the flow pipe 15 so as to allow the passage of water from the water receptacle 5 through the flow pipe 15 to the reservoir 9 of the housing 11, but to also prevent the back-flow through the flow pipe 15, of steam and heat generated in the reservoir 9 of the housing 11 by the electric heating elements 7, as will be hereinafter described.

Also positioned on the flow pipe 15 is water control valve 13, which controls the flow rate of water moving from the water receptacle 5 along the flow pipe 15 to the reservoir 9 of the housing 11. If the water control valve 13 is opened substantially, the water flow rate from the water receptacle 5 is increased, thus increasing the amount of water contained in the reservoir 9 of the housing 11, and likewise increasing the rapidity and rate at which steam (humidity) can be released through the outlet 23 at the opposite end of the housing 11. Conversely, if the water control valve 13 is closed somewhat, the water flow rate from the water receptacle 5 is decreased, thus decreasing the amount of water contained in the reservoir 9 of the housing 11, and likewise decreasing the rapidity and rate at which steam (humidity) can be released through the outlet 23 at the opposite end of the housing 11. Water pressure within the system can be gauged though the use of water pressure gauge 19, which is connected to, and in fluid communication with, the reservoir 9 of the housing 11.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the water within the reservoir 9 can be heated by an electric heating element 7 that is inserted through the opening 2 on the upper surface of the housing 11, so as to reside within the internally defined chambers within the body of the housing 11. Preferably, the electric heating element 7 is a glow plug, and, as such, is easily removable and replaceable if required. A lower end of the heating element 6 projects into the reservoir 9 of the housing 11 whereby the electric heating element 7 is in direct contact with the liquid (water).

The electric heating elements 7 in the housing 11 are supplied with electrical power from a power source 3 for enabling the electric heating elements 7 to heat the water. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the power source 3 can have an elongated body 21 (such as if it is a power pack), though this is not absolutely essential. In a preferred embodiment, the power source 3 is an electrical battery type power source, particularly for the humidifier assembly of the present invention, though it is conceivable that, alternatively, solar power cells, a/c power, wind generated power sources or the like could also be used, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. Of course, it would be readily apparent that such a power cell could also be re-energized or re-charged also, as is known in the art.

Situated near and on the outlet pipe 23 of the housing 11 is outflow valve 27. If the outflow valve 27 is opened substantially, the rapidity and flow rate at which steam (humidity) can be released through the outlet 23 at the opposite end of the housing 11 proceeds in a usual manner inherent to conventional steam humidifiers, whereby the steam and humidity released is at a somewhat elevated temperature. However, if the outflow valve 27 is closed somewhat, the steam and humidity flow rate through the outlet pipe 23 is decreased. By virtue of the steam (humidity) exhaust being controlled in this maimer, the temperature of the steam can be reduced upon exit, as it will remain in the outlet pipe 23 for a longer period, and thus will be cooled somewhat. In a preferred embodiment, the temperature of the steam (humidity) at outflow is 20 degrees F., though it will be understood that variations to this are possible.

In a further embodiment, the humidifier assembly of the present invention further comprises a safety switch 9 positioned in communication with the interior of the housing 11, wherein the safety switch 9 is adapted to turn the electric heating elements 7 off when a temperature within the housing 11 exceeds a pre-determined level. In a preferred embodiment, this temperature limit is 350 degrees F., though it will, of course, be understood that variations to this are possible.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the humidifier assembly of the present invention could be activated by a remote device (not shown) by a user, whereby the power source 3 could be engaged to activate the electric heating elements 7 to heat the water. It is also conceivable that an air blower (not shown),which may include a blower motor and fan blades driven by the blower motor, could be utilized in conjunction with this system, to direct exhausted steam (humidity) exported from the outlet 23 at the opposite end of the housing 11 directing heat generated by the heated coolant to an area external to the heater assembly. Of course, it would be understood that such air blower would likely be positioned to reside within the system close in proximity to the exhaust end of the system.

The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein. 

1. A humidifier system comprising: a liquid receptacle containing liquid therein; a housing having an internal reservoir extending therethrough for passage of the liquid through the housing; at least one opening defined on an upper surface of the housing separately positioned from the reservoir but accessible thereto; means for transferring the liquid from the liquid receptacle to the reservoir in the housing; at least one electric heating element inserted into the at least one opening, the at least one heating element projecting into the reservoir whereby the at least one electric heating element is in direct contact with the liquid within the reservoir, the at least one electric heating element being supplied with electrical power from an electrical power source for enabling the at least one electric heating element to heat the liquid and create steam; and means for exhausting the steam from the housing.
 2. The humidifier system of claim 1, wherein the housing is adapted to be mounted generally horizontally.
 3. The humidifier system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises an inlet adjacent one end of the housing for flow of the liquid into the housing and an outlet adjacent the opposite end of the housing for an exhaust flow of steam out of the housing.
 4. The humidifier system of claim 1, wherein the electric heating element is a glow plug.
 5. The humidifier system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a thermostatic safety control in association with the interior of the housing, wherein the thermostatic safety control is adapted to turn the at least one heating element off when a temperature of the at least one electric heating element exceeds a pre-determined level.
 6. The humidifier system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of openings defined therein, each of which are separate from the reservoir and each having an electric heating element inserted therein.
 7. The humidifier system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electric heating element is removable.
 8. The humidifier system of claim 1, wherein the electrical power source is an electrical battery.
 9. The humidifier system of claim 1, wherein the electrical power source is a solar power cell.
 10. The humidifier system of claim 1, further comprising a water pressure gauge connected to, and in fluid communication with, the reservoir of the housing.
 11. A humidifier system comprising: a liquid receptacle containing liquid therein; a housing having an internal reservoir extending therethrough for passage of the liquid through the housing; at least one opening defined on an upper surface of the housing separately positioned within the housing from the reservoir but accessible thereto; means for transferring the liquid from the liquid receptacle to the reservoir in the housing; means for controlling a flow rate of the liquid moving from the liquid receptacle to the reservoir in the housing; at least one electric heating element inserted into the at least one opening, the at least one heating element projecting into the reservoir whereby the at least one electric heating element is in direct contact with the liquid within the reservoir, the at least one electric heating element being supplied with electrical power from an electrical power source for enabling the at least one electric heating element to heat the liquid in the reservoir and create steam within the housing; a thermostatic safety control in association with the interior of the housing, wherein the thermostatic safety control is adapted to turn the at least one heating element off when a temperature of the at least one electric heating element exceeds a pre-determined level; means for controlling an exhaust flow rate and temperature of the steam exiting the housing; and means for exhausting the steam from the housing. 